Cephalenchus driekieae n. sp. is described and illustrated based on its morphological, morphometric, and molecular characteristics. This new species is mainly characterized by its short stylet 11.5 to 13.0 µm, and 13.5 to 17.5 µm long pharyngeal overlap extending over the intestine. It could further be delimited by 451 to 526 µm long females with a prominently annulated cuticle, dorso-ventral amphidial openings as shown using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), four lines in the lateral field, anchor-shaped stylet knobs, empty spermatheca, elongate conoid tail with finely rounded tip and males absent. The shortest stylet and long pharyngeal overlap, distinguish this new species from previously described members and update the characteristics of the genus. With four lines in the lateral field, this new species was morphologically compared with four previously described species with this feature and another species with a short stylet. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using the partial small and large subunit ribosomal DNA gene (SSU and LSU rDNA D2-D3) sequences showed that it was clustered with other Cephalenchus spp. in both SSU and LSU trees, retaining the monophyly of the genus. This new species from South Africa updates the biogeography of the genus.
